Pulley.



J. G. FITZGERALD.

PULLEY.

APPLIUATION FILED AUG. 13I 1912. 1,092,098. yPatented 111131311914.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

J. C. FITZGERALD.

PULLEY.

APPLICATION FILED AUG. 13, 1912.

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COLUMBIA PLAND'GRAFH co.,wAsHxNTON. D. c,

NIT 'IA PULLEY.

Application filed. August 13, 1912.

To all 'whom it may concern Be it known that I, JEREMIAH C. Frrz- GERALD, a citizen of the United States, residing at Kilbourn, in the county of Columbia and State of Wisconsin, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Pulleys, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to improvements in pulleys to be used on various kinds of machines for transmitting power by means of a belt, from an engine or motor, to the machine, andl while it is more particularly intended for use on cream separators of the type commonly known asfhand separators, as distinguished from factory separators,7 which hand separators, it is sometime-s desirable to operate by means of gasolene engines, yet it is applicable for use on other kinds of machines or machinery, and it consists in certain peculiarities of the construction, novel arrangement and operation of the various parts thereof, as will be hereinafter more fully set forth and specifically claimed.

It is well known, that the functions of many machines require them to be started at low speed, which is gradually increased to the desired degree and there maintained or varied as necessary, and especially is this so in the class of cream separators above mentioned and to which the invention is more particularly applicable, and also, that many slow starting machines are belted directly to the engine, which generally starts out under full speed, and as the separator or slow starting machine requires more or less time to gather its normal speed it is necessary to provide means whereby the engine may run under full speed, yet to cause the separator or other machine driven by the engine to pick up or gather its normal speed, and to accomplish this result is one of the objects of this invention.

Another object of the invention is to provide means for increasing or decreasing the circumferential size of the pulley, to the end, that the speed of the machine to which it is applied, may be increasedor decreased.

A still further object is to provide a pulley of such construction that its rim may be run loosely on or entirely free of the spokes or axle thereof, and so that friction or driving power may be applied gradually or abruptly.

A further object is to provide a pulley which shall be so constructed as to absorb Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Mar. 31, 1914s.

Serial No. 714,814.

sudden jerks or uneven speed of the engine,

thereby preventing injury to the separator or machine to which the pulley is applied, by reason of such movements.

Numerous other objects and advantages of the invention will be disclosed in the subjoined description and explanation.

In order to enable others skilled in the art to which the invention pertains, to make and use the same I will now proceed to describe it referring to the accompanyin drawing in whichd Figure l, is an inner face view of a pulley embodying one form of the invention showing a portion of the rim thereof in section. Fig. 2, is an enlarged sectional view of the hub of the pulley showing a portion of the radial spokes mounted thereon and means for adjusting the same. Fig. 3, is a cross sectional view taken on line 3-3, of Fig. l, looking in the direction indicated by the arrows. Fig. 4, is a detached perspective view of the adjusting wedge Afor the spokes of the pulley. Fig. 5, is an enlarged inner face view of the hub of the pulley showing parts thereof broken away and illustrating the manner of connecting the spokes thereto at their inner ends.' Fig. 6, is a circumferential sectional view :of a pulley embodying a modification in its construction, and Fig. 7, is a view partly in section and partly in elevation of a portion of one of the spokes of the modified form, showing the head adjustably mounted on its outer portion.

Like numerals of reference refer to corresponding parts throughout the different views of the drawings.

The reference numeral 10, designates the hub of the pulley which is hollow and preferably cylindrical in shape, as shown, and has its outer portion externally screwthreaded to engage an internally threaded nut 11, used in adjusting the spokes 12, which are by preference curved as is clearly shown in Figs. l, and 6, of the drawings. The hub 10, is provided between its ends with a series of outwardly extended segmental flanges 13, and 14E, which are arranged inl circumferential rows or annularly, and at a slight distance apart, that is to say` the row of flanges 13, is located at a slight distance from the row of flanges 14, so as to permit the inner ends of the spokes 12, to be extended between the two rows of anges.

By reference to the drawings, it will be seen that the members or flanges 1,3, and 14, of their respective rows are spaced apart to form recesses 15, which register' with one another for the reception and operation of wedge shaped prongs 16, on an adjustable collar 17 or plate, which is movably mounted on the hub 10, and may be forced toward the spokes and between their inner portions and the hub by means of the nut. 11, when the same is turned in the proper direction. As `before stated, each of the spokes 12, is by preference curved and has at its inner portion an arm or extension 18, each of which is also by preference curved and extends across the recesses 15, yet at a slight distance from the hub. `:Each of the spokes 12, is pivotally secured by means of a pin 19, between one of the flanges 13, and one of the flanges 14, and has rits outer portion, by preference, formed into an arc of a circle, the center of which circle is located at the circumferential center ofthe hub, and will circumscribe the outer .portions of the spokes, on which portions is loosely mounted a rim 20, which is preferably made of slightly resilient material, such as a metal band which is wound upon itself ,toy form a plurality .of plies, as is .clearly shown in Fig. 3, ofthe drawings, or so as to have its ends overlapping one another. The rim is slightly concave on its inner periphery or surface and usually convex on its `outer surface, as is usual in the rims of pulleys. At suitable distances apart the band or piece out. of which the rim 20, is formed, is provided with a series of openings 21, near the edges of the band, to receive pins, l.bolts or rivets, used for securing the plies together. liv thus connecting the plies of .the rim it is apparent that by removing the .bolts or pins from the .openings the rim can :be expanded or contracted to a desired size, .when the pins or -bolts can again be inserted in the openings 21, therefor, so as to retain the plies in position.

In Fig. 6, of the drawings, .is shown a modification in the construction of the pulley which consists in supplying each of the extensions 18, .on .the inner portion of each of the spokes 12, with ,a screw v22, which extends inwardly through the extensions 18, and radially with respect to the hub 10. These screws vc an be used in .connection with the inclined Iprongs 16, on the plate or .collar 17 so ,ast-o assist in adjusting the spokes inwardly or outwardly at their outer .port-ions, or said screws can be used for this .purpose without rthe .prongs j16, should it be desirable .to omit .the same In this modification, y.the outer portion Aof each ofthe spokes 12, is provided `with a screw-23, on the outer end of each of which is loosely mounted ahead 24', which is shaped on its outer surface to correspond withthe innersurface of 4therim 20, against which surface said heads will impinge when the spokes are forced outwardly at their outer portions.

From the foregoing and by reference to the drawings, itl will be yreadily understood and clearly seen, that by placing a rim 20, on the outer portion of the spokes 12, so as to rest loosely thereon,rthe rim may be driven by a belt, not shown, leading from an engine or driven pulley, not shown, independently or free of the spokes or shaft of the machine to be driven, on which shaft or axle the hub 10, may be mounted and rigidly secured thereon by means of a screw 25, (see Fig. 2) or by any other suitable means. `When it is desired vto start the machine or a separator to which the pulley -is applied, slowly, Vthe nut- 11, should be turned so as to force the .collar or plate 17 toward the spokes 12, which operation will force the beveled or inclined prongs 16, between the extensions 18, onithe inner portions vof the spokes and the outer surface of the hub, thus causing the outer portions of the spokes .to be moved .out-

wardly and against the inner surface of theV Y rim with a sufficient degree of friction to cause the spokes .to rotate in unison with the rim or so Vthat the rim may slip or slide on the outer portions of the spokes untilthe separator or machine being driven shall gather its requisite speed. The adjustment of the nut 11, may be made before starting the pulley or while it. is running, as may be desired. While the `rim of the pulley is shown as being concavo-convex in cross sec- Y tion, yet it is not so much so as to cause the belt to fly .off in fact, this construction will more securely retain the belt in position, as it is a well-known fact that belts on pulleys always ride to the highest points thereof.

The pulley is no-t designed for heavy duty, but for light or medium light work, and it o perates properly under these conditions without showing any tendency of belt tightening stress, as the pulley will slip on the spokes and vmove in the direction of the travel of the belt. The pulley, however,may be made todo heavv work by adding strength thereto or putting in more spokes than are ilo shown. As before stated, the friction between the spokes and rim is increased or diminished by .the hand nut and consequently may be properly adjusted regardless of any centrifugal action of the spokes. A

In the construction shown in Fig. 6, theA same operation may be employed as above described, but it will be understood that when the collar 17, `and inclined prongs 16, are employed said prongs will contact with .the inner ends of the screws 22, instead of n vdirectly with the extensions 18, of the spokes, and the heads 24:, on the adjustable screws 28, will contact with the .inner sur# face of the rim 20, instead of the outer portions of the spokes contacting with the inner surface of the yrim as in the other yconstruction. When it is desired to increase or diminish the size of the rim so as to provide a pulley for increasing or diminishing the speed of the separator or machine to be driven, the rim 20, is removed from the spokes when the bolts 21a, (see Fig. 6) should be removed from the band comprising the rim, when it is apparent that the overlapping portions of the rim may be adjusted so as to increase or decrease the size of the rim, when the bolts 21a, can be inserted in the openings and secured in place by means of nuts engaging one of their ends.

Having thus fully described my invention what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent isl. A pulley including a hub, a series of spokes loosely connected to the hub at their inner portions and extended at their outer portions to a circle concentric with the hub, a rim movably supported by said spokes and means on the hub to increase the diameter of the circle described by said outer portions.

2. A pulley including a hub, a series of spokes loosely connected to the hub at their inner portions and extended at their outer portions to a circle concentric with the hub, a rim having a concave inner surface surrounding the outer portion of the spokes and movably supported thereby, and means to increase or decrease the diameter of the circle described by the outer portions of the spokes.

3. A pulley including a hub, a series of spokes loosely connected to the hub at their inner portions and extended at their outer portions to a circle concentric with the hub, an adjustable rim operatively mounted around the outer portions of said spokes, and means to increase or decrease the diameter of the circle described by the outer portions of the spokes.

4. A pulley including a hub, a series of spokes loosely connected to the hub at their inner portions and extended at their outer portions to a circle concentric with the hub,

a rim encircling the outer portions of the spokes consisting of a band having its ends overlapping each other, means to adjustably connect the ends of said band, and means to increase or decrease the diameter of the circle described by the outer portions of the spokes.

5. A pulley consisting of a hub, and a series of spokes extended outwardly therefrom and a rim movably mounted on said spokes and means on the hub to regulate the friction between the spokes and rim.

6. A pulley including a hub, a series of curved spokes loosely connected at one of their ends to the hub and extended outwardly therefrom, a rim movably supported by said spokes and means for increasing or diminishing the distance from the outer lpoitions of the spokes to the center of the 7. A pulley including a hub adapted to be fixed on a shaft to be driven, a series of spokes loosely connected to the hub at their inner portions but at a distance therefrom and extended voutwardly from the hub, a rim movably supported by said spokes, a collar loosely surrounding the hub and having inclined prongs extended between the inner portions of the spokes and the hub, and means to adjust said collar and prongs with respect to the spokes.

8. A pulley including a hub adapted to be fixed on a shaft to be driven, a series of spokes loosely connected to the hub at their inner portions but at a distance therefrom and extended outwardly from the hub, a rim surrounding the outer portions of the spokes and loosely mounted thereon, a collar movably mounted on the hub and having inclined prongs extended between the inner portions of the spokes and the hub, and means to adjust said collar and prongs with respect to the spokes.

JEREMIAH C. FITZGERALD.

Witnesses:

R. D. BARNEY, ANDREW SonENsnN.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents,

Washington, '.D. C. 

